News

Recruit motivates platoon

(February 11, 2011) -- A motivated recruit runs while yelling at the sound of his name coming from one of his drill instructors. Although the recruits are told from day one to be loud and motivated at all times, one stands out above the rest.

Recruit Dylan K. Bolt, Platoon 3210, Company I, said he has always strived to be his best and that is why he chose to join the Corps.

Bolt, 19, has two other family members who have served in the Marine Corps, including his grandfather, retired Marine and actor R. Lee Ermey, but the decision to enlist was strictly his own, he said.

Ermey played Gunnery Sgt. Hartman, a drill instructor, in the war movie, "Full Metal Jacket."

Only three months out of high school, Bolt left for recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

Because it was his nature to be the best, Bolt showed initiative and leadership so he was appointed as a squad leader by his drill instructors in the first phase of training. He was able to hold onto the position throughout boot camp.

There are usually four squad leaders in a platoon that are in charge of a group of recruits. The squad leader will make sure his recruits are where they are supposed to be and complete their work. The squad leader will also mentor recruits who struggle with parts of training.

Bolt said he chose the military occupational specialty of infantryman because he wanted the opportunity to go overseas and fight for his country.

"He has done a lot to earn the respect of the recruits and his drill instructors," said Staff Sgt. Mike Chavez, Platoon 3210, Company I.

Although he was a quiet recruit, he did very well when we put him in charge, and got the tasks done, said Chavez.

Bolt is excited to go home to Posser, Wash., for his 10 days of boot leave, and hopes to use his time home to go skiing and pick up his car from the shop. His car is a 1968 Ford Mustang, which was being reupholstered and repainted in gold with black racing stripes.

After leave, Bolt will attend the School of Infantry West, MCB Camp Pendleton, and hopes to be stationed on the West Coast when his training is complete.

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